Saturday, April 30, 2011

As I mentioned yesterday, my job at the Amigos Sin Frontera medical campaign in Villa Santiago was to take pictures. I have not had time to sift through them all as I almost completely filled my 1 GB SD card in two days with almost entirely pictures from the campaign, but I decided to try something new and attempt to make a video from scratch--there is not any music in the background because I am not sure if I am allowed to do that because of copyrights and stuff-but Here is just a quick glance at some of the pictures I took. Hopefully I can improve video-making in the future.

ENJOY!!!! And check out yesterday for the videos on the blog post if you have not done so already!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Here is a video that I did on Wednesday while I was waiting for Dr. Antonio and Sylvia to show up--another one of my favorite little places! I just love the big picture behind me! Getting a video of the upper area of the offices was one of my secret desires that I could never do while patients were waiting dental treatment. Anyways I was talking quietly in the video because there is another office across the hall where people were working and I didn't want to disturb them.

Following is a day (Today friday) represented through four videos....I hope you get a glimpse of how much I enjoyed this day serving the Lord with my friends.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

A friend of mine from my sending church gave me a little analogy that she had been thinking about. It really isn't original to her or me because I have heard very similar words in the past, but needless to say, since I don{t know who the original thought came from, I asked her permission to share it and embellish the idea in my own words----and she said it was OK. So thanks Nancy! :)

Are you free??

When we are born we are born into sin--trapped in it and unable to be free from it--sort of like a bird that is trapped in a cage without knowing there is a door for the way out. Like birds we are stuck--in the cage of sin and there is nothing we can do in and of ourselves to open the door to be freed from the consequences of it.

But when Jesus came, He died taking all of our sin upon Himself--He took the punishment that we deserve to have paid. Not only that----but He arose from the grave provng that He is God. He purchased our freedom so that sin does not have to have power over us--and so that we can be free to enjoy a real living relationship with God--which is more satisfying than anything else on this earth.

God has given us a gift that we could never earn by "trying to do the right things" or "being good enough" or "doing good works." None of these things will pardon our sin, and no one else can give us the forgiveness of our sins but Jesus Christ alone. The only thing we can do and all we have to do is TRUST in what Christ has done for us and the moment that we trust Christ it is like the cage door is opened--and we are freed from the power of sin and death.

Are you free? Many of you may say "Yes! Of course--I have trusted Christ!"

But sometimes, even we still choose to live in the cage even though we have trusted Christ. It is again sort of like my birdie Amarillo--He has the whole room available for his enjoyment---the door of his cage is open--but he would much rather "stay in the cage" where it seems safer---when he could be enjoying so much more.

If you have never trusted Christ God longs for you to give Him your trust--our God and Savior is worth trusting in completely. And if you have trusted Chriat, don´t miss out on the riches of joy and all that God has for you by "staying in the cage" and not enjoying the freedom that you have been given in Christ!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Here is a video I did yesterday! I am realy excited to work with Amigos Sin Frontera this weekend! It was really windy when I did the video so my hair kept blowing in my face. Anywyas, enjoy and bless you all!

I have also been trying to encourage my birdie Amarillo to at least chirp once in awhile! Amarillo is the quietest bird I have ever seen! I can´t wait for the day when he realizes he can come out and enjoy life in the room with me when I am home and doesn´t have to stay in the cage!....so here he is--cute as always!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

1 Peter 1:3-6 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials."

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have finally found the church that I want to be a part of and serve with while I am here in Mexico! I am amazed by their real love for one another, their friendliness, the solid teaching of the Word, and the concern that the Pastor has for those in the congregation---every Sunday after the service he stands at the door and talks briefly with just about everyone who attended as they leave. Next Sunday I get to be introduced to the church family in the service as I will be serving and working to come alongside them. I have a desire to help in the women's ministry but I need to talk with the Pastor more officially and see if he is alright with that and what the needs are at this time.

The Church is called King of Kings Christian church--The sign below says:"We have found the true purpose in life."

Here is what the building looks like from the outside (it is the light green one)

This morning I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to get a fruit salad of magos, green grapes, stawberries, and papaya ready for our fellowship meal after the Celebration service of Jesus Christ's resurrection. The service started at 7:00 a.m. (Usually there are two services one at 10:00 and one at 12:00 but today it was a combined earlier service) as I was finally waiting for the bus on the main road just up from my street, I found myself with two other ladies who were also believers. They had beeen waiting over an hour for their bus and said that neither theirs nor the one I needed had passed by in the last hour. Finally the bus came by at 7:15--and unfortunately I got to church at 7:45. The good thing was that I was literally just in time to join them in taking the Lord's table together!!!!! (First time with all of them--it was really special for me!)

The sermon was wonderful! It was from the verses I put above at the beginning of this blog post--I will be referring to those verses and a few thoughts from the sermon put in my own words in the future!

After the service we had a meal together where everyone brought different wonderful Mexican breakfast items to share! I "just happened" (We all know God had it planned out!) to sit at a table where obviously the fruit salad I had made was to share with those at my table and everyone else---and the other ladies had brought chilaquiles and tamales (My two most favorite Mexican dishes in the world!) While I was eating I waas able to share my testimony with two people and leaned more about those at my table as well.

I was rejoicing in the salvation that I have in Christ the whole time! It has been eleven months! In a month there is going to be a huge celebration going on in my heart and life! I hope you all will be celebrating with me!

P.S. Please pray for a dear older lady that I chat with frequently on a regular basis that lives on my street.. She saw me this afternoon and told me I was beautiful----such a sweet comment. Please pray that God would open up an opportunity for me to share the gospel with her---I have no idea where she stands spiritually--I am also hoping she might be able to answer some questions for my cultural paper.

Friday, April 22, 2011

How wonderful it is to know that Jesus died and rose from the grave priving that HE is God. How wonderful it is that His sacrifice was and is perfectly sufficient offered once for all. How wonderful it is that the guft of eternal life is for all who will give their trust completely to Him alonefor the forgiveness of their sin. How wonderful that we have a God who works in our hearts and lives to draw men to Himself! How WONDERFUL it is to live with the HOPE and the absolute certainty of knowing that I will go and be with Him for all eternity when I die. It is the greatest joy in the world!

But today here in Mexico I observed a procession focusing on the "stations of the cross"---and a partial reinactment of Christs death on the cross. It was not like the passion plays you see at home. And as I sat in a cathedral filled to the brim with people, my heart felt so sad----because nearly all of those people do not know the precious truths I just wrote about and have been rejoicing in above. But that is why I am here---to share about Christ in Mexico and beyond.

Yet at the same time, it was a good experience for the cultural paper I am working on. God provided a woman, and this was not the person that invited me to observe, that explained what was going on and answered my every question. I have four single spaced pages for my cutural paper on Lent and Holy Week alone. I am not done withthe paper though'there is still much more to explore on the other two religious holidays that I am investgating to doscover what the people believe and think. Pray that the Lord would put people in my path to be able to help me in this.

As you celebrate Christ and remember His death and Resurrection these next days, please pray for me here in Mexico.....and even more for the precious people that I interact with every day that do not yet know Him.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

I am enjoying this little guy! I've decided to call him "amarillo" or "rillo" for short! It is the Spaniah word for yellow.

There are a couple of things that "Amarillo" doesn't know. I bought him for a special purpose-the purpose of having fellowship. Every day I tell him three things several times. They are: 1) you are beautiful 2) I love you 3) I wish you would trust me. I bought him for so much more than just sitting pretty in his cage. He doesn't know that growing up our family had cockatiels--and I know how much fun they can be once they trust you. He doesn't know that there can be a whole nother level of fellowship and enjoyment. As I gently put one finger in his cage, hoping he will eventually realize that I am not going to hurt him, I realize that I can not make him trust me--He has to be willing---infact he may never get to the point of trusting me-but I am filled with hope that maybe he will one day....I must be patient regardless.

My favorite times are when he dares to come down from his perch and eat food while I am sitting by his cage. Why are these my favorite moments? Because they are when we are in the closest proximity to each other. For sure I know two things-I will always think he is beautiful--and i will always love him.

Maybe it sounds odd talking about a bird like that---but all of this makes me think of something SO much greater. It makes me think about how GOD created us for the sole purpose of having fellowship with us---how after Adam and Eve sinned, God later made provision to pay for mankind's sin through the sacrifice of his perfect and Holy sinless Son, Jesus Christ. And for us to have fellowship with His to simply TRUST in what Jesus Christ did for us when He took our sin upon Himself, died in our place, and rose from the grave. And in even a greater way, God must see those who do not yet trust Him and say, "If only you would trust Me!" He longs to have fellowship with us. What is HE saying to YOU today? He is patiently waiting for you to trust Him.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Image courtesy of www.freefoto.com used with permission with unrestricted license.

HI Everyone,

This week is where we celebrate Christ's death and resurrection.

As I saw people making palm branches weaved in the form of crucifixes, selling them like hot cakes on Saturday and Sunday outside of every cathedral in town, and saw that the palm branches that people had bought were "blessed" by the priest with "holy water," it reminded me of so many that have a form of what many would consider godliness-and yet don't understand what Christ's death really means. As I observed parts of the mass, with the goal of understanding more of what the people really believe, I was reminded that for so many Christ's death really is not believed to be sufficient. And at the same time, my heart broke for them-I want them to know JESUS personally and not just know about Jesus. Those are two totally different things. I am burdened even more for the people here--please pray with me.

What a CONTRAST it was to go to the church that same Sunday morning where I am attending and later hoping to serve as God and the leadership permit! The faces radiating with joy because we serve a risen Lord, their warm greetings, solid teaching from the Word, the fellowship of being together-what a celebration! I love being with them and feel that God has truly ;ed me there in every way

Please pray as I am working fervently on my cultural paper this week and seeking to interact with as many as possible-The good thing about this week is that so many people are thinking about Christ's death--pray that I can be a vessel and share with them the step further that many do not yet know----that by trusting in Christ's ALL SUFFICIENT sacrifice ONCE AND FOR ALL on the cross is the ONLY way to receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life in Heaven. Pray that God would give me wisdom and that I would be able to share His HOPE with gentleness and respect........and for open hearts and ears to listen.

Monday, April 18, 2011

I am introducing to you my new friend! A Grey, yellow, and white cockatiel who at this point still has not been named by me! He is so soft---and absolutely a beautiful reminder of God's creation! The picture doesn't even come close to displaying how pretty he is. So what should I name Him? Any suggestions?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

This is a little video update that I did the other day. Please pray that God would bring peace and stability to Mexico-the violence is really sad. Pray that people would be brought to TRUST in the true and living God in the midst of it all. I am doing very well-am safe and all. I was unable to be at the sending base office this morning because my sending base leaders are at a meeting or something-so hopefully Lord willing I can make more progress on my cultural paper.

I am enjoying free internet access at the moment at a McDonalds--so I m going to work on a few things for awhile and then head out to work on my paper. Thanks for your prayers!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Today my cultural experience was talking to a few people for my paper.......and attending a funeral.....because I was at the right place just as everything was going to be taking place. I prayed with a crying woman--I believe it was her mom that had died. I went along for the procession to the cemetary and stayed for the burial. Death here is definitely not as "pretty" as it is in the states. People are generally burried the next day after they die. It was such a reminder of how much the Mexican people need to know Jesus as their one and only Savior. The funeral was Catholic and it broke my heart---just to see how much they need Him.

And lately, after being reminded again of how much so many Mexican people need Jesus, I am also reminded of how much I need Him-every second-----esspecially lately as I see the sin in my own heart and life. Pray that I would walk closer with Him and live a life of obedience without offending the Spirit of God who indwells me.

Thank you for your prayers----may His love and light shine through us and be evident to all!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Genesis 17:1-5 "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. Genesis 17Ñ15-17 "God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” Genesis 18:1-2 "The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground." Genesis 18:9-15 "Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

I have been thinking about something these last two weeks---I am not trying to compare myself to Abraham or Sarah by any means--I have just been thinking about a concept and am using these verses to demonstrate something.

Sometimes it is so easy for us to read those passages and think, "Why Sarah simply didnt just believe God and trust Him???-actually we see that Abraham laughed at first too." It can get easy to get proud and think, "I would not have done that."

But it all hit home to me a few weeks ago when I was talking with a friend---and she told me what she was praying that God would bless me with in my life--it was one of my deepest desires. On one hand her words encouraged me and on the other hand--I hate to admit this--but I was laughing on the inside because I was looking at the circumstances rather than trusting that God could bring that desire to pass. Part of me wanted to say to my friend, "You really do not have to pray about that for me......."

I too have laughed--in doubt and lack of trust in our Lord at times.

And in my case, God has NOT promised to me nor is He required in some way to grant that desire. He does not have to "give me what I want." So many people think of God as some type of wish-granter---and while He does give us so many good gifts, He is not ours to try to manipulate. It all gets put into perspective when we realize we did not deserve anything from Him.

The real perspective and demonstration of trust comes when I become more willing to say, "Lord, I trust that You will do what is best no matter if that desire is fulfilled or not. You will bring to pass what is the VERY BEST and NOTHING LESS for me according to Your ways and plans." It is one thing to SAY that intellectually and another thing to MEAN IT from a heart of trust.

But I guess another part of all of this is how often we, like Sarah, can look at our circumstances and believe things as impossible--when with God in accordance with HIS will and plan, not ours---nothing is impossible or too hard for Him.

Are we looking at our circumstances or looking at Jesus Christ? Are we believing Him or doubting? Are we confident that what He is allowing in our lives is for a greater purpose--and that He alwaus does what is best--even when that gets hard---no matter how it looks or turns out? Will we love Him no matter what?

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Several of you know that I have begun to work ion a cultural paper as a part of my orientation requirements. This week I have been encouraged because as of this weel, I have two very knowledgeable people that want to help me with it. Please pray that I can do this well-this is so much more than an "assignment" for me. It is so sad the things that so many people are trusting in---anything except Christ. I am also becoming more and more aware of how many people have a form of religiosity but no personal relationship with JESUS where they are trusting Him. It really breaks my heart-pray that the questions I ask would again allow people to think about what they believe and that I would have opportunities to share the gospel. Today I talked with a woman that was very aware that her sin offends God but she is trusting in her own egfforts for salvation rather than Christ. Thank you for your continued prayers for my paper and that God would bring the right people accross my path---and for opportunities to share with them about Jesus.

Friday, April 8, 2011

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"

Eternal Life-the gift that we receive when we give our trust to Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The Spirit of God indwells us.

When water isn't flowing it gets stagnant-it starts to smell, it attracts mosquitoes, and it just sits there.

But water that is flowing is always fresh, moving, and can be very powerful.

Isn't it interesting that the verse does not say, "He who has believed"--but rather the verse says He who believes"-in the present?"

Are we allowing the Spirit of God to flow in our lives and guide us in accordance with the Word of God---or are we quenching Him because of our sin? Is the joy of walking with the Lord daily radiating through us as we obey Him-or are things getting "stagnant" in a sense?

Monday, April 4, 2011

I had a really neat Sunday yesterday. It was also the 50 year anniversary of my sending and home church in the states---sounds like they had a special celebration that I was not there for.

So yesterday a few of my team members had an missions foccus at their church exposing the congregation to missions. It was neat because one of our Mexican workers is here on furlough. She came and presented to the church about her ministry and the country where she is serving. It was so fascinating! I learned a lot!

Then I had the privilege of taking her all the way to Cuernavaca on the bus-a forty minute ride from the church we were at--so she could present at another meeting! It was so neat to have some time to personally talk and get to know her. This is the second time I had actually met her in person.

Once we got to my sending base leaders house, we had a delicious meal of rice, salad, and roasted chicken and the second meetinf began with about fifteen other Mexicans that were all interested in learning more about missions. It was a lot of fun and encouraging to see the interest of several young people. The presentation by our Mexican worker was again very interesting anddifferent from what I had seen at the church that morning.

Afterwards, those that were able to stay, hung out for a few hours and talked to the worker asking questions or discussing cross cultural work amongst ourselves. I had an opportunity to encourage a few people as well.

It was a really awesome day!

Pray that Mexican churches here and Pastors would catch a greater vision for reaching out and being more of a part of the Great Comission. At the same time, pray that we would all bereaching out to those around us that have not yet given Jesus their trust for salvation.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

This afternoon I had the privilege of taking two Mexican friends out to Pizza. Pray that the Lord would encourage them and strengthen them. One is very discouraged and feels that everyone abandons her when she needs them the most. Pray that I would be able to be there for her and that she would learn to walk in the truth of the Lord--not believing the enemy--the father of lies. I would so love to see God work in her life as He did in mine ten months ago. Our God is able!!! Thank you for your prayers!

Current Prayer Requests

Prayer Requests for January to April 2014

1) Pray for Carina who arrives in February as a short-term worker. Pray that the details for her ministry schedule would come together and that we would be a mutual blessing to one another..2) Pray for our team conference to be held March 10th-13th. Pray for good times of discussion, decision making and enriching fellowship as a team.

3) Pray for the details of my furlough June to October.

4) Pray for Conchita and for her continual encouragement.

Thank you so very much for your prayers! May the Lord bless you all!

If You Think This Blog Would Help Someone Else.....

Dear readers,If you think my blog would help someone else that you know, either as a means of sharing the gospel, (please share with them too though...don't "count on me!"---it's God's work anyways to save them!) making someone think, or encouraging them, please feel free and know you have my permission to copy the link and send it to them. I realize there may be some eventual "flack" for some things posted, but that is OK...it is a small price to pay if God chooses to use this all to bring one more person to Himself. Thank you for reading and thank you for your prayers! IT ISN'T ABOUT "MY GLORY"----IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD GETTING THE GLORY HE DESERVES.

Contacting me

If you have questions and are NOT one of my personal friends that knows my personal contact information, but would like to contact me, you may do so at crystalsministryupdates@gmail.com

Please note this e-mail may only be checked once or twice a week at most, but I will do my best to get back to you as soon as I am able, and WANT TO do so.

Please also understand that I DO NOT have all the answers, I am growing in my relationship with Jesus Christ, my Savior, but am willing to help, as God enables me, if you would like.

AGAIN PERSONAL FRIENDS AND CONTACTS, please use my personal e-mail and not this one. Thank you so very much!